First Corvette Stingray units delivered to South African owners
Johannesburg — It’s official: the first-ever factory-built right-hand-drive Corvette Stingray units have arrived in South Africa, and early customers are already taking delivery. The milestone, announced by CVH Auto Group, brings one of America’s most celebrated sports cars onto South African roads after decades of anticipation.
“This has been an extraordinary journey,” says Donovan Eley, Dealer Principal at CVH Auto Group. “Bringing the Corvette to South Africa in factory-built right-hand drive has been years in the making, and to hand over the first cars to their owners is a proud and thrilling moment for our entire team.”
Why this delivery is so special
For more than seven decades, the Corvette has defined American muscle. From the 1953 C1 that wowed crowds at GM’s Motorama, through the space-race-linked Stingrays of the 1960s, to today’s mid-engine C8, the car has always been an icon. Yet South African enthusiasts were largely locked out. While some imported and even converted models have circulated over the years, this marks the first official allocation of factory-built right-hand-drive Corvettes in the country.
It’s no surprise demand is strong. The latest Stingray boasts a 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine delivering 369 kW, capable of launching from 0–100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds. Every car comes with a service plan and warranty, easing concerns about running such a rare machine locally.
Rare collector’s item
Motoring experts and forums agree that the Stingray occupies a unique niche. In the US, its reputation has often been debated against rivals like the BMW M8 Convertible, Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster, or Lexus LC500 (see NOWinSA’s Lexus coverage here).
For years, perceptions (Reddit) of the Corvette were shaped less by the car itself and more by cultural baggage. While some saw it as a ‘boomer’s toy,’ years of inflated dealer markups pushed it into price territory usually reserved for far more exclusive European sports cars. But the C8 has reset that narrative. With its mid-engine layout, sharp handling, and aggressive styling, it’s now widely regarded as one of the sportiest and most compelling performance cars in its class.
In truth, the Corvette has long been misunderstood outside the US. Once pegged as the quintessential midlife-crisis car, it has now matured into a precision-engineered sports coupe capable of taking on — and beating — far pricier European rivals (see Mercedes sports coupe coverage).
South African context
Local pricing starts from R3.7 million, positioning the Stingray against established luxury rivals while offering hypercar-level performance. Units delivered in Bryanston are specced with the Z51 Performance Package, ensuring serious track-ready capability straight out of the box.
For collectors, the rarity factor cannot be overstated. With limited allocations expected, the C8 Stingray could soon become as prized in South Africa as Ferrari or Porsche models, particularly given its official factory right-hand-drive build.
American muscle, South African heartbeat
The Corvette’s arrival is more than just another car launch — it’s a cultural moment. For decades, South Africans could only admire the Corvette from afar. Now, CVH Auto Group’s successful campaign means enthusiasts can finally experience what US critics once hailed as “the best bargain in high-performance motoring on Planet Earth.”
With the promise of the even more aggressive Z06 to follow, and whispers of the monstrous ZR1 in the future, South African roads are about to echo with the unmistakable roar of American V8 thunder.
For more motoring news and updates, visit the NOWinSA Motoring hub. To explore the Corvette’s US story, check out DrivenMag’s coverage and Motor1’s detailed video review.
